The Blue’s currently sit in 18th place in England’s second tier and have struggled at times to find goal. Although Lee Clarke’s side currently sit nine points clear of the relegation zone, the former Newcastle man is expected to bring Ibe straight into the first team for Birmingham’s upcoming clash with fellow strugglers Blackpool. Although Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said there was no rush to loan the youngster out, he recently spoke of getting him first team football — somethign the Northern Irishman knows will be invaluable to the 18-year olds future on Merseyside.
“At some point we will have to get him regular game time in order for him to push on. At this moment in time, he’s on the bench and has got possibilities to play” Rodgers told the Liverpool ECHO last month. “He has shown every day in training that he’s at a really good level. But there will come a point where, if he’s not playing here regularly, he’ll need to get some game time because I think he can be a great player for us for the future.”
If he does leave on loan, Ibe will join the likes of Suso and Tiago Ilori who have both left Anfield on a temporary basis to further their first team experience. Despite showing heaps of promise, the winger has made only one start and one substitutes appearance for the Reds this season. With qualification for next seasons Champions League looking like a real possibility, the more options — and experienced players — Rodgers has at his disposal, the better.
